Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) are influenced in their amplitude and frequency spectra by the middle ear. The effects of changes in the middle ear transmission mechanisms on transiently evoked OAE (TEOAE) and distortion product emissions (DPOAE) were investigated as a function of static ear canal pressure in 25 normal-hearing test persons aged 18-35 years. The ear canal pressure was varied stepwise between positive and negative values of 200 daPa. TEOAE and DPOAE amplitudes were attenuated significantly with changes of the static ear canal pressure, with greatest changes at low frequencies (< 2 kHz). The alterations of OAE amplitude were slightly dependent on the polarity of the pressure, with positive pressure producing a greater attenuation (0.6 dB). The results demonstrate that changes in middle ear impedance can cause a misinterpretation of OAE. To avoid this problem, tympanometry should always precede OAE measurements. Alternatively, both methods can be combined using one acoustic probe, so that the emissions can be evoked at the peak of middle ear compliance.

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The endocochlear potential (EP) in the pigeon was found to be +10 +/- 3 mV. A method for changing the EP by current injection into the scala media is described. The EP change brought about was 1.6-2.9 mV/microA and was dependent on the distance from the tip of the current electrode. Single fiber activity in the cochlear ganglion could be recorded simultaneously with the current injection. These experiments have shown that decreases in the EP reduce the sound-evoked activity of primary afferent nerves and elevate their threshold.